The St Mary’s County Board of Commissioners met at the Chesapeake Building August 4 at 9 a.m. Some board members excused themselves mid-meeting to attend funeral services for former BOCC president and member George Robert Aud, Sr.

At the meeting, the BOCC received an invitation to attend the Fifth Biennial Unmanned Systems Demonstration at Webster Field on August 10.  Cmdr. Paul J. Filardi called this invitation-only event a “technical field trip” and explained, “With multiple wars going on and our service members deployed, unmanned systems has taken a leading role.” Jarboe commended the technology behind the unmanned systems programs and called this event, “A testimonial to the good work at Webster Field.”

The BOCC also met the new State Highway Administration District 5 Engineer, Lee Starkloff. Several commissioners brought up roads that needed attention from their areas and Starkloff replied, “We’re doing what we can with what we have.”

The Board approved two leases. The first, the rental of the Hayden Farm house to a new-to-the-area Chopticon High School biology teacher and the second; a 6 year lease agreement for the county Chamber of Commerce on Airport Road. They also approved a request for a public hearing on the eighth Amendment to the Sheriff’s Office Retirement Plan.

Land Use and Growth Management Director Derick Berlage and Zoning Administrator Yvonne Chaillet went over ideas concerning the Proposed Winery Text Amendment and received input from the BOCC. Berlage stated that this proposal turned out to be a “more complex issue than any of us thought” but the planning commission’s objectives remain to support agriculture and increase tourism in the county. LUGM will continue to work out the details necessary to satisfy the board majority. Commissioner Dement urged Berlage to “stay in touch with us and the public as well” to create “something that’s in the interest of the citizens as a whole.”

Department of Economic and Community Development Director Bob Schaller, Ph.D gave an overview presentation of the county. Schaller reported that St. Mary’s has the fastest growing workforce, the second fastest population growth rate and the youngest population in the state. Schaller explained, “They’re moving here not just for quality of life but also for jobs.”

Those jobs, according to Schaller’s presentation, are predominately in the federal and private defense sector, which makes up 62 percent of the county’s workforce. Wages are high, but St. Mary’s poverty rate remains the highest in our tri-county area. Schaller addressed the need for employer diversification and said, “Our goal in DECD is to bridge the gap with the non-defense economy.” 

Schaller showed that the county’s growth consists of many young professionals and new families, but we also have a large population of older veterans. All of this growth will need to be supported by consistent planning and services to meet the needs of the community. After hearing Schaller’s report, Jarboe commented, “We’re positioned well even in a bad economy.”

The BOCC will not meet next Tuesday, but they will be back August 18. Commissioner Dement ended the session, “See you in two weeks.”